Meniolagomeka 


REPRINTED  FROM  THE  TRANSACTIONS  OF  THE 
MORAVIAN  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 


BETHLEHEM,  PA. 

H.  T.  GLADDER, 


Meniolagomeka. 


'ANNALS 


OF  A 


Mo  RAYiAN  Indian  Village 


AN  HUNDRED  AND  THIRTY  YEARS  AGO. 


BY  J.  MAX  HARK. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/meniolagomekaOOhark 


Meniolagomeka/ 


Himself  a part  of  Nature,  the  Indian  has  always  lived  in  in- 
timate, even  tliough  unconscious,  sympathy  with  her  higher  forms 
and  manifestations  of  beauty,  harmony  and  sublimity.  As  the 
feathery  fern  loves  to  grow  by  the  mossy  rock,  in  the  shady  dell, 
or  by  the  bubbling  spring ; as  the  dark-green  hemlock,  with  droop- 
ing boughs,  and  spear-like  peaked  head,  seeks  the  frowning  preci- 
pice, or  crowns  the  rocky  cliff;  so  the  tawny  Indian  ever  chose  to 
live  where  his  presence  would  complete  the  picturesqueness  of  the 
landscape,  the  perfect  symmetry  of  Nature’s  beauteous  whole. 
Thus  we  find  him,  in  the  beginning  and  middle  of  the  last  century, 
peopling  the  mountain-shadowed  valleys,  the  sloping  hillsides,  and 
the  flowery  meadow  banks  of  all  that  great  hunting  ground  north 
of  the  Kittochtinny  range,  or  Blue  Mountains,  of  this  State.  This 
range  formed  the  great  boundary  line  between  him  and  the  white 
man’s  lands.  By  government  treaty,  as  well  as  by  natural  law, 
this  was  his  country,  all  his  owm.  And  here  our  Brethren  first 
visited  him,  not  as  intruders  or  usurpers,  but  as  messengers  of  the 
Most  High,  bearing  the  glad  news  of  salvation  to  all,  both  red  and 
white. 

On  his  first  journey,  of  inspection  rather  than  evangelization,  in 
July  of  1742,  Count  Zinzendcrf  with  a little  company  of  devoted 

' Read  at  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Moravian  Historical  Society,  September 
15th,  1880. 

“ This  village  [Meniolagom^ka]  lay  in  ‘ Smith’s  Valley,’  eight  miles  west  of  the 
Wind  Gap,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Aquanshicola,  at  the  intersection  of  the  old 
Wilkesbarre  Road,  which  crossed  the  mountain  at  Smith’s  Gap — in  Eldred  Town- 
ship, Monroe  County.  The  graveyard  was  one-eighth  of  a mile  south  of  Mr. 
Etlw.  Snvder’s  lime  (piarries  ” — {MemoriaU  of  the  ^fm•avian  Church.) 

(8) 


4 


MENIOLAGOM^KA. 


men  and  women  crossed  into  this  country  at  Tat’s  Gap,  about  two 
miles  west  of  where  the  Delaware  breaks  thr*iugh  the  “Endless 
Hills.’’  On  their  homeward  journey  they  struck  the  beautiful 
though  narrow  valley  of  the  Aquaiishicola,  west  of  the  Wind  Gap. 
After  their  hot,  fatiguing  ride  over  rough  and  rugged  hills,  the 
comparatively  level  trail,  through  cooling  hemlock  groves,  and 
clean,  refreshing  ash  and  maple  shades,  may  well  have  beguiled 
them  to  follow  its  course  westward,  as  it  gently  wound  along  the 
northern  base  of  the  mountain  wall.  About  eight  miles  west  of 
the  Wind  Gap  they  suddenly  came  upon  a little  cluster  of  Dela- 
ware lodges,  nestling  against  the  sloping  side  of  the  first  of  those 
countless  hills  that  rise  behind  and  above  one  another  northward 
for  many  miles.  They  halted,  and  no  doubt  partook  of  the  tribe’s 
hospitality,  meeting  for  the  first  time  the  Indians  of  Meniolago- 
m6ka,  nearly  all  of  whom,  later,  were  gathered  into  the  fold  of  the 
Great  Shepherd,  and  some  of  whom  became  shining  lights  in  the 
future  history  of  the  Brethren’s  Indian  Missions. 

The  “ Disciple”  (Zinzendorf)  and  his  company  could  make  but 
a brief  stay  here  however.  Constrained  by  a divine  impulse,  he 
changed  his  plan,  which  had  been  to  return  directly  to  Bethlehem ; 
and,  with  three  companions,  John  Wm.  Zander,  Jacob  Lischy,  and 
an  Indian  guide,  followed  the  course  of  the  Aquanshicola  west- 
ward, crossed  the  Lehigh  Gap,  and  continued  in  a south-westerly 
direction  until  he  came  to  Heidelberg,  where  he  met  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  great  Iroquois  Confederacy,  and  concluded  with 
them  that  covenant  of  friendship  and  fraternity  that  opened  the 
whole  Indian  country  to  the  Brethren.  The  other  members  of  his 
company,  Anton  Seyffert,  Andrew  Eschenbach,  Henry  Muller, 
Zinzendorf’s  eldest  daughter,  Benigna,  and  Zander’s  bride,  Jo- 
hanna, with  her  younger  brother,  Peter  Muller,  departed  by  the 
nearest  route  to  Bethlehem ; which  they  reached  on  the  evening 
of  the  same  da}\ 

Brief  as  this  first  visit  of  the  Brethren  to  this  village  was,  it 
seems  to  have  been  lono-  enou«:h  to  let  their  love  for  the  “ brown 
hearts”  shine  forth  and  burn  into  their  souls,  a gracious  reflection 
of  the  saving  rays  of  the  Light  of  the  world.  For,  from  this  time 
date  the  visits  of  these  Indians  to  Nazareth,  and  Bethlehem,  and 
afterwards  Gnadenhiitten,  which,  frequently  returned  by  the 
Brethren,  resulted  in  the  establishment  here  in  1749  of  a congre- 


A MORAVIAK  INDIAN  VILLAGE. 


5 


gation  of  Christian  Indians.  Zinzendorf  liimself  seems  never  to 
have  visited  again  this  “ Fat-Land-in-the-midst-of- Barrens/’  as  the 
Indian  name  represents  it  to  have  been.  But  we  know  that  Anton 
Seyilert  did  so  repeatedly  before  his  return  to  Europe  in|  1745  ; 
once  in  October  1743;  again  in  January  of  the  next  year;  and 
once  more  in  June  of  the  same  year.  Indeed  those  rude  little  huts 
of  skin  and  bark  were  often  graced  with  the  presence  of  saints’and 
heroes  whom  we  shall  count  it  an  honor,  and  blissful,  once  to  meet 
in  the  glorious  mansions  of  the  New  Jerusalem.  The  devoted 
David  Nitschmann’s  feet  have  trodden  those  hills.  Faithful 
Nathanael  Seidel’s  voice  often  echoed  through  those  dells,  singing 
sweet  songs  of  the  Lamb.  Those  ancient  trees  once  hushed  their 
whispering  converse  to  hear  the  words  of  wisdom  and  truth  that 
fell  from  the  lips  of  the  scholarly  Bolder  and  the  ardent  Cammer- 
hof.  John  Hagen  was  there  to  show  forth  the  Saviour’s\love ; 
and  Henry  Antes  bore  testimony  to  the  same.  Through  the  deep 
snows  and  wintry  blasts  Christian  Henry  Rauch  forced  his  way  to 
claim  the  souls  of  that  little  band  for  his  crucified  Master.  And 
the  tender-spirited  Brother  Johannes  de  Watteville  passed  through 
the  place,  drawing  hearts  to  himself  wherever  he  went,  as  the 
magnet  draws  steel. 

But  although  each  spot  where  these  saintly  men  trod  was  thus 
hallowed  forever,  the  fruits  of  their  labors  were  slow  in  ripening. 
It  was  not  until  1748  that  they  appeared  ; but  then  in  a remark- 
able manner.  A celebrated  warrior  of  the  tribe,  whose  massive 
form  and  gigantic  strength  had  made  him  a terror  to  his  foes,  but 
whose  dissipated  life  at  home,  and  bloodthirsty  fierceness  in  many 
a drunken  brawl,  had  gained  him  a disgraceful  notoriety  even  more 
widespread  than  his  w'arlike  fame,  came  with  tears  of  penitence  to 
the  missionary  at  Gnadenhiitten,  begging  to  be  baptized.  Long 
the  Brethren  hesitated,  almost  doubting  the  possibility  of  so  great  a 
change  in  his  heart.  But  at  length  they  yielded  to  his  earnest 
pleading,  and  he  became  a member  of  the  little  congregation  on 
the  Mahony,  receiving  in  baptism  the  name  of  Christian  Renatus. 
His  subsequent  life  proved  his  sincerity  ; though  it  never  ceased  to 
be  a wonder  to  all  who  had  known  him.  Both  white  men  and 
former  companions  among  the  Indians  came  from  afar  purposelv 
to  convince  themselves  of  the  reality  of  this  mira<^le  of  grace.  Nor 
did  he  ever  tire  of  telling  them  what  the  Saviour  had  done  for  him, 


6 


MENIOLAGOM^KA. 


the  chief  of  sinners.  His  conversion  made  a deep  impression  for 
good  on  his  tribe,  and  encouraged  the  missionaries  to  renewed  zeal 
in  behalf  of  the  rest  of  his  people  at  Menioldgomeka. 

The  Lord  waited  until  the  next  year,  however,  before  He  mani- 
fested Himself  with  a general  awakening  power.  The  chief  of  the 
village,  a young  man  of  noble  family  and  nobler  nature,  known 
among  the  whites  by  the  name  of  George  Rex,  had  for  some  time 
shown  a special  interest  in  the  Gospel.  It  was  at  his  urgent  invi- 
tation that  the  visits  of  the  Brethren  to  the  little  village  on  the 
Aquanshicola  had  become  more  and  more  frequent ; while  he  him- 
self came  again  and  again  to  Gnadenhutten  ancf  to  Bethlehem  to 
hear  the  words  of  life.  Finally  he  gave  himself  wholly  to  the  Lord, 
and  with  his  wife  was  baptized  at  Bethlehem,  in  1749.  A short 
time  after,  his  hundred-year-old  grandfather  followed  his  example, 
shortly  before  his  death  ; and,  in  the  course  of  the  same  year  and 
the  next,  nearly  his  entire  tribe  was  converted,  and  joined  the  com- 
pany of  true  believers.  But  of  them  all,  none  proved  themselves 
more  steadfast  and  consistent  than  their  honored  young  chieftain 
and  his  gentle  wife,  thenceforward  known  as  Brother  Augustus 
and  Sister  Esther.  She  died  at  Gnadenhutten  in  1754.  He,  after 
the  removal  to  the  Mahony,  and  thence,  after  the  massacre,  to 
Bethlehem,  was  for  three  years  the  trusted  Elder  of  the  Indian 
congregation  at  the  latter  place.  During  this  time,  in  April  1756, 
he  was  ap|)ointed  by  Bishop  Spangenberg  to  represent  the  Christian 
Indians  on  the  embassy  sent  by  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania, 
with  peaceful  overtures  to  the  hostile  Delawares  and  Shawanese. 
Though  afterwards  tempted  by  Teedyuscung  for  a time  to  forsake 
the  Brethren,  he  soon  returned,  an  humble  penitent,  and,  in  the 
year  1762,  fell  peacefully  asleep  in  their  midst,  in  the  full  assur- 
ance of  pardon  and  salvation.  At  Meniolagomeka  he  labored 
faithfully  and  with  untiring  zeal,  as  the  missionaries’  assistant,  for 
the  spiritual  welfare  and  growth  in  grace  of  his  tribe. 

Soon  after  his  conversion  the  village  was  constituted  and  ordered 
as  a regular  mission  station,  and  ministered  unto  as  a filial  of  Gna- 
denhutten, by  visiting  Brethren  from  the  latter  place.  On  festal 
days,  and  for  the  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion,  the  congrega- 
tion regularly  repaired  thither,  where  indeed  a special  lodge  was  built 
and  set  apart  for  their  shelter  and  entertainment  on  the  occasions. 

In  the  meantime,  however,  the  white  settlers,  who  everywhere 


A MOKAVIAN  INDIAN  VILLAGE. 


< 

were  the  most  inveterate  and  unscrupulous  enemies  of  our  Indian 
missions,  were  not  idle  at  Meniolagomeka.  With  gross  tempta- 
tions, and  cunning  lies  about  the  missionaries,  they  did  their  utmost 
to  turn  the  hearts  of  the  converts,  undermine  their  confidence  in 
the  Brethren,  and  win  them  back  to  their  former  sinful  ways,  so 
profitable  to  the  traders’  wicked  greed.  Several  unconverted  In- 
dians yet  in  the  village,  too,  were  a source  of  constant  trouble  and 
anxiety.  But  the  good  judgment  and  Christian  firmness  of  Augus- 
tus were  equal  to  every  trial,  and  kept  his  band  of  fel lowers  true  to 
their  vows.  By  the  conversion  of  the  notorious  “ Big  Jacob,”  the 
I..ord  removed  the  chief  enemy  of  the  Brethren  and  the  Gospel  in 
the  village  itself.  This  Indian  had  been  an  ardent  hater  of  the 
Christian  religion  and  its  ministers,  and  had  systematically  labored 
against  them  with  all  his  influence  and  cunninsc.  But  a severe  ill- 
ness  brought  him  to  a sense  of  his  wickedness.  He  became  deeply 
penitent;  and  almost  distracted  came  to  Bishop  Cammerhof  for 
advice  and  assistance.  He  was  lovingly  treated,  and  affectionately 
pointed  to  the  one  thing  needful.  His  very  demeanor  became 
changed,  from  that  of  a fierce  and  sini.ster  savage  to  that  of  a broken 
and  contrite  sinner.  And  true  to  His  promise  the  Lord  did  not 
despise  him,  but  gave  him  an  interest  in  His  .saving  l)!ood.  He 
was  baptized,  as  Brother  Paul,  by  Cammerhof  in  1750,  and  till  his 
death  remained  true  to  the  Master  and  active  in  His  cause. 

Repeated  solicitations  from  Augustus  and  his  subjects  at  length 
moved  the  Brethren  to  station  a permanent  tninister  at  Meniola- 
gom6ka.  Bernhard  Adam  Grub6,  whose  portrait,  by  the  artistic 
hand  of  a living  relative,  graces  these  wails  even  now,  was  the  man 
appointed  to  occupy  this  lonely  outpost  in  the  wilderness.  In 
January  of  1752,  in  the  depth  of  winter,  he  arrived  in  the  midst 
of  the  little  company,  whose  warm  and  hearty  welcome,  so  child- 
like and  sincere,  went  straight  to  his  heart,  and  for  a time  made 
him  forget  the  bleak  storm  and  icy  cokl  that  reignetl  without. 

Although  Grub6  had  had  some  slight  experience  of  Indian  mis- 
sion work  at  Pachgatgoch,  his  new  station  must  have  seemed 
strange  to  him,  as  it  was  one  of  peculiar  trials  and  severest  hard- 
.ships.  Educated  at  Jena,  and  accustomed  to  the  schoolmaster’s 
desk  in  the  midst  of  white  brethren  and  friends  at  Bethlehem,  we 
do  not  wonder  that  peculiar  sensations  filled  him  now,  as  he  moved 
into  the  little  hut  prepared  for  him.  We  sympathize  with  him 


8 


M kniolA.gom£ka. 


when  he  naively  tells  us  how  his  awkwardness  in  handling  the  axe, 
not  long  after  his  arrival,  came  near  crippling  him  for  life,  and  as 
it  was,  confined  him  for  weeks  to  his  rude  and  cold  little  lodge, 
stretched  upon  a rough  board  as  his  only  couch,  with  nothing  but 
a wooden  bowl  to  serve  for  a pillow.  But  no  ailment  of  the  flesh 
could  daunt  his  resolute  spirit.  While  thus  confined,  he  beguiled 
the  long  and  lonesome  wintry  days  by  diligently  studying  the 
Delaware  language ; and  daily  had  his  little  charge  gather  round 
his  couch,  to  keep  them  service  there. 

It  is  true  his  Indians  did  all  they  could  to  lighten  his  hard  lot. 
But  they  themselves,  during  this  winter  and  spring,  had  to  struggle 
desperately  with  poverty  and  want,  and  for  a time  could  scarcely 
keep  starvation  from  their  doors.  It  was  Augustus  more  especially 
who  kept  him  supplied  with  the  necessaries  of  life ; as  indeed  he 
did  many  others  of  his  tribe.  For  Augustus  was  a noted  hunter, 
and  on  many  an  expedition  brought  home  more  venison  alone  than 
all  his  companions  together.  And  Fis  heart  was  ever  open  to  the 
less  fortunate  or  skilled,  and  never  refused  to  share  with  them  the 
spoils  of  the  chase. 

Early  in  spring  the  hai’dy  missionary,  now  fully  recovered  from 
his  accident,  by  his  example  urged  the  Indians  on  to  clear  their 
land,  build  fences,  hoe  and  dig  the  ground,  and  jjlant  it  with  beaus, 
corn  and  other  vegetables.  But  not  even  this  was  witiiout  its 
hardships  and  difficulties.  There  was  a great  scarcity  of  needed 
seeds.  To  supply  this  several  of  the  Indian  brethren  had  to  hire 
themselves  out  to  white  settlers,  often  miles  away,  and  thus  earned 
a little  money.  The  sisters  went  to  Nazareth,  Christiansbrunn, 
Bethlehem  and  Broadheadville,  and  sold  the  brooms,  baskets  and 
mats  they  had  made  during  the  winter.  Spiteful  neighbors,  too, 
harrassed  them  and  sorely  tried  their  patience.  One  time  in  May, 
for  example,  they  found  that  one  of  these  had  set  fire  to  the  woods 
around  their  fields,  and  burned  up  nearly  all  their  fences.  With 
true  Christian  forbearance  they  said  nothing,  but  simply  set  to 
work  and  built  new  ones.  Then,  later  in  the  season,  a great  part 
of  their  young  crop  of  corn  was  destroyed  by  the  multitudinous 
ground-squirrels. 

Besides  these  outward  troubles,  Grube  had  his  full  need  of  anx- 
iety and  concern  in  the  management  of  the  inner  life  of  his  congre- 
gation. However  docile  they  were,  and  sincere  in  their  faith  and 


A MORAVIAN  INDIAN  VILLAGE. 


9 


love,  they  were  but  spiritual  babes  and  very  beginners  in  the  Chris- 
tian walk  and  life,  while  in  the  flesh  they  were  full-grown  men  and 
women,  of  like  passions  with  other  men.  Temptations  from  with- 
out and  within  were  many  and  strong.  Wild  savages  made  fre- 
quent visits  into  their  midst,  and  more  than  once  broke  up  the 
peace  of  the  village  to  such  au  extent  that  the  regular  religious 
services  could  not  be  held.  Quarrels  would  arise  amongst  the  con- 
verts, once  even  between  a brother  and  his  wife.  Slothful  ness  was 
a besetting  sin.  Ijittle  jealousies  and  bitter  feelings  must  be  looked 
after  and  removed. 

Yet  with  all  this,  the  inner  course  of  the  congregation  in  the 
main  was  encouraging  and  hopeful  to  the  devoted  missionary,  and 
his  activity  remained  unabated.  Daily  he  visited  them  in  their 
huts,  advising,  admonishing  and  exhorting  them  with  tender  soli- 
citude. Every  evening  a service  was  held  for  all,  in  which  sweet 
hymns  were  sung  in  the  German  and  the  Delaware  languages,  with 
all  that  heartiness  and  fervor  for  which  the  Indians’  singing  was 
so  remarkable.  A simple,  straightforward  discourse  was  also  de- 
livered, usually  on  the  words  of  the  Daily  Text.  This  was  trans- 
lated, sentence  for  sentence,  by  Brother  Augustus,  or  in  his  absence 
by  some  otlier  brother.  The  punctual  attendance  of  the  Indians 
at  these  daily  services  is  gratefully  commended  by  Grube.  On 
more  than  one  occasion,  during  his  temporary  absence  at  Bethle- 
hem or  Gnadenhutten,  Brother  Augustus  himself  conducted  the 
meetings,  to  the  evident  edification  and  blessing  of  all. 

According  to  the  general  custom  of  the  Brethren’s  Church  at 
that  period  of  their  history,  Saturday  was  strictly  observed  as  the 
Sabbath  day  of  rest,  preparatory  for  the  more  joyous  celebration  of 
the  succeeding  Lord’s  Day.  No  work  was  then  engaged  in.  Jour- 
neys were  avoided.  Hunting  was  forbidden.  Peace  and  quiet 
reigned  in  all  the  huts  from  morn  to  night,  sweetened,  perhaps,  by 
here  a voice  heard  in  some  hut  in  humble,  fervent  prayer;  or  there 
a touching  hymn  wafted  to  the  throne  above  from  the  blended 
hearts  and  voices  of  a family  singing  together  round  the  blazing 
hearth-fire. 

As  a rule,  all  the  converts  at  Meniolagomeka  repaired  once  a 
month  to  Gnadenhutten,  to  prepare  for  and  enjoy  the  blessed  sacra- 
ment of  the  Lord’s  Supper.  On  such  occasions  they  would  leave 
home  early  on  Friday  morning.  On  their  arrival,  then,  and  all 


10 


MENIOLAGOM^KA. 


through  the  Sabbath,  Brother  Martin  Mack  ami  his  wife  Anna 
would  speak  with  each  of  the  brethren  and  sisters  separately,  in 
solemn  preparation  for  the  morrow’s  great  event.  On  Monday  they 

“ . . . return  eacli  to  his  tent, 

Joyful  and  glad  of  heart.” 

These  seasons  always  gave  a fresh  impetus  to  the  work  at  home, 
and  were  indeed  green  spots  in  the  memory,  especially  of  tlie  lonely 
missionary. 

Yet  there  were  other  occasions,  too,  to  relieve  the  routine  of  suf- 
fering and  hard  work  at  Meniolagom§ka ; incidents  that  to  us 
might  seem  but  trivial,  but  to  them  were  great  events.  The  birth- 
days of  dear  brethren  were  to  be  celebrated,  if  privately  yet  no  less 
joyously,  and  with  festivity  in  the  heart.  So  Zinzendorf’s  fifty- 
second  birthday  was  observed,  though  in  a somewhat  novel  manner, 
on  the  26th  of  May.  The  “ Missions-haus,”  where  the  meetings 
were  held,  and  which  also  was  the  residence  of  the  mini.ster,  had 
for  some  time  been  but  a sorry  shelter  for  him  from  the  storms  of 
cold  and  rain.  In  fact,  the  services  had  several  times  to  be 
omitted,  as  still  oftener  the  sleep  of  poor  Brother  Grube,  on  ac- 
count of  the  streaming  rain  that  poured  through  the  roof  and 
deluged  all  within.  On  this  day,  accordingly,  all  the  Indian 
brethren  went  together  to  peel  bark  on  the  mountain,  and  return- 
ing in  a few  hours,  set  lustily  to  work  to  re-roof  the  lodge.  With 
pride  Brother  Grube  reports  how  quickly  and  skilfully  it  was  done, 
so  that  he  could  again  write  and  sleep  in  the  dry.  It  even  had  a 
window  put  into  it!  Later  the  hut  was  still  further  distinguished 
by  the  luxury  of  a wooden  floor.  Who  will  doubt  that  Brother 
Zinzendorf  appreciated  such  a form  of  celebrating  the  anniversary 
of  his  birth,  by  his  “ brown  hearts”  on  the  Aquanshicola,  far  mere 
than  many  another  less  useful  though  more  ostentatious  form  of 
remembrance ! 

On  the  following  Sunday,  being  Whitsuntide,  the  newly-roofed 
hut  was  adorned  with  boughs  and  twigs  of  evergreen  by  the  grate- 
ful missionary.  At  once  all  his  Indians  followed  his  example,  and 
carried  it  further,  even  to  the  special  adornment  of  their  own  per- 
sons, with  all  the  finery  in  their  possession  ; a piece  of  vanity  that, 
doubtless.  Brother  Grube  deeply  deplored  having  so  rashly  occa- 
sioned ! The  rest  of  the  day  he  devoted  particularly  to  the  chil- 
dren and  youth.  And  indeed,  he  seems  always  to  have  had  a 


A MORAVIAN  INDIAN  VILLAGE. 


11 


peculiar  love  for  children,  and  to  have  labored  among  them  with 
extraordinary  blessing.  Not  only  did  he  here  keep  special  services 
for  them  from  time  to  time;  l>ut  he  also  commenced  a school  for 
them,  with  himself  as  teacher,  which  he  kept  faithfully  everyday; 
first  an  hour  for  the  boys,  then  for  the  girls  alone.  Their  punc- 
tuality, and  eagerness  to  learn  to  read  and  write,  gave  him  much 
pleasure  and  satisfaction. 

Occasional  visits  from  his  white  brethren  also  served  to  cheer 
him  and  to  encourage  the  Indian  converts.  How  welcome  such 
visits  were,  can  be  better  imagined  than  described.  He  himself 
tells  us  of  his  joy  when,  on  a bright  and  lovely  day  in  June,  seven 
single  brethren  from  Christiansbrunn  arrived.  It  had  seemed  to 
him  as  though  he  h k1  not  seen  a white  face  for  months.  What 
though  he  had  but  one  bed  for  them  all,  and  scarce  provisions 
enough  for  himself  alone?  He  had  as  much  as  they  expected  : a 
warm  embrace  of  welcome,  and  a heart  yearning  for  their  love, 
sympathy  and  companionship.  Nor  did  they  want  food  ; for 
Augustus  speedily  provided  a feast  for  them  all  of  juicy  venison 
and  sapan.  Every  member  of  the  village  came  and  gras|)ed  them 
by  the  hand,  invited  them  into  the  various  huts,  and  made  them 
feel  that  this  was  a village  of  true  brethren.  Brother  Grub6  took 
them  out  into  his  fields  to  show  them  the  fruits  of  his  labor,  and 
have  them  tliank  God  with  him  for  the  promise  of  a plentiful  crop 
and  abundant  harvest.  So  glad  were  the  hearts  of  the  good 
brother  and  his  guests  that  sleep  would  scarce  have  visited  tliem 
even  though  they  had  had  a softer  couch  than  the  bare  floor,  where 
all  were  crowded  together  around  the  crackling  fire. 

But  Grul)6’s  six  months’  stay  here  was  now  drawing  to  a close. 
The  call  to  leave  Meuiolagom6ka  and  repair  to  Bethlehem  came 
to  him  on  his  thirty-eighth  birthday,  June  21st.  Quite  unex- 
pectedly, at  noon,  who  should  arrive  but  David  Zeisberger,  then 
about  to  go  to  Onondaga  to  commence  his  great  work  there. 
With  liie  call  to  Grubfe,  he  brought  also  the  needed  provisions  for 
a love-feast  in  honor  of  the  latter’s  birthday;  but  himself  would 
not  stay  long  enough  to  enjoy  it  with  him,  as  he  must  hasten  di- 
rectly to  Guadenhiitteu.  Grube  thereupon  po.stponed  the  love- 
feast,  intending  to  make  it  his  farewell  service  on  the  morrow. 

In  the  evening  he  announced  his  call  to  his  congregation,  who 
heard  it  with  sad  and  sorrowful  hearts.  In  the  meantime  Brother 


12 


MENIOLAGOM^KA. 


Augustus  had  been  let  into  the  secret  of  the  morrow’s  service,  tliat 
he  miglit  assist  in  its  preparation.  Early  the  next  morning,  then,’ 
great  slices  of  bread  were  spread  with  butter,  and  a large  kettle 
of  chocolate  was  set  to  boil  over  the  fire.  Brother  Grube  himself 
being  the  sole  cook.  A brother  and  sister,  Anthony  and  his 
wife  Johanna,  were  yet  in  haste  appointed  to  serve;  and  then,  all 
things  being  ready,  the  horn,  used  to  call  the  congregation  together 
for  service,  sounded  forth  a long  and  lusty  blast,  that  echoed  and 
re-echoed  along  the  mountain  side  and  through  the  woody  glens 
and  dales.  In  as  little  time,  almost,  as  it  takes  to  tell,  every  soul 
in  the  village  obeyed  the  summons.  And  then,  decently  and  in 
order,  began  the  first  Brethren’s  lovefeast  that  had  yet  been  held 
at  Meniolagom6ka.  Each  Indian  received  a slice  of  bread  and 
butter,  together  with  a cup  of  steaming  chocolate.  Silent  and  at- 
tentive they  partook  thereof,  while  their  beloved  minister,  in  tones 
quivering  with  emotion,  bade  them  a loving,  tender  farewell;  ad- 
monishing them  to  remain  faithful  unto  the  end  ; and  finally,  com- 
mending them  in  an  ardent  prayer  to  the  gracious  care  of  the  great 
Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls,  dismissed  the  congregation,  and  im- 
mediately set  out  across  the  mountain  to  Bethlehem.  Nathanael, 
a faithiul  brother  here  and  afterwards  assistant  at  Gnadenhiitten, 
was  his  traveling  companion,  though  other  brethren  also  went  with 
him  as  far  as  the  mountain  top. 

Hard  as  had  been  this  faithful  servant’s  lot  at  this  place,  who 
can  doubt  that  sorrow  and  regret  filled  his  heart  now,  at  parting 
with  his  devoted  little  flock.  Standing  on  the  mountain  side  he 
looked  down  once  more  upon  those  huts.  Perhaps  it  would  be  the 
last  time  his  eyes  should  rest  upon  them.  There  flowed  the  gentle 
Aquanshicola  in  crystal  ripples  o’er  its  pebbly  bed.  How  oft  had 
he  sat  there  on  its  mossy  banks,  amidst  its  graceful  ferns  and  fra- 
grant flowers,  listening  to  the  voice  that  spoke  to  him  in  every 
murmur  of  the  waves,  every  whisper  of  the  leaves  o’erhead,  and 
each  bird-note  wafted  to  him  from  the  swaying  bushes  and  boughs ! 
There,  scarce  two  hundred  yards  beyond,  close  by  a fresh  and 
gurgling  spring,  clustered  the  humble  homes  of  those  souls  that 
had  grown  dear  to  him  as  was  his  own  —not  a dozen  lodges, 
ranged  equally  above  and  below  the  little  meeting-house  where  he 
so  oft  had  bowed  his  knees  in  prayer,  and  shed  such  burning  tears 
for  the  welfare  of  his  flock.  Standing  in  the  center  of  the  village. 


A MORAVIAN  INDIAN  VILLAGE. 


13 


with  that  of  his  tried  Augustus  on  the  one  side  and  Nathanael  on 
the  other,  he  felt,  now  perhaps  for  the  first  time,  that  the  name  of 
home  was  in  his  heart  associated  strangely  with  these  huts  of  hark. 
But  he  must  banish  such  thoughts.  His  home  is  not  on  earth. 
He  is  but  a pilgrim  here,  and  must  go,  yea  and  go  with  cheerful- 
ness and  joy,  where’er  the  Master  calls. 

Very  soon  after  Grube’s  removal,  the  Brethren  sent  Brother 
John  Joseph  Bull,  better  known  by  his  Indian  name,  Schebosh,  to 
reside  and  labor  at  Meniohlgom^ka.  This  humble  and  lowly  man, 
a true  hero  of  the  faith,  though  not  a scholar  like  his  predecessor, 
was  yet  a chosen  instrument  of  God  for  good  among  the  Indians; 
and  here,  as  in  all  the  different  fields  where  he  served,  speedily 
won  the  esteem  and  affection  of  his  red  brethren.  He  brought  his 
wife  Christiana  with  him,  who,  though  herself  a Delaware  Indian, 
or  perhaps  because  of  this  fact,  helped  him  in  a peculiar  manner 
in  his  work,  and  made  his  pastoral  labors,  in  visiting  the  Indian 
sisters  from  hut  to  hut,  particularly  efficient  and  blessed. 

Although  the  “house-warming”  of  this  devoted  couple  was  of  a 
rather  startling  character,  for  on  one  of  the  first  nights  of  their  so- 
journ here  tliey  found  possession  to  their  bed  disputed  by  no  less 
formidable  an  occupant  than  an  immense  serpent,  that  had  crept 
into  the  hut  during  the  evening,  they  nevertheless  soon  came  to 
feel  quite  at  home  in  the  place.  They  had  frequent  visitors,  too, 
not  only  from  Gnadenhiitten,  but  especially  from  Bethlehem, 
whence,  among  the  rest.  Brother  and  Sister  Jungmanu  came  in 
September;  the  Brethren  Nathanael  Seidel  and  Everhart  in  Octo- 
ber; and  on  another  occasion  Bishop  Matthew  Held  and  Brother 
Yarrel,  who  treated  the  baptized  converts  to  a fraternal  love-feast. 

In  spiritual  matters  the  congregation  continued  growing  in  grace; 
the  meetings  and  school  were  kept  regularly  ; and  Brother  Sche- 
bosh might  have  continued  his  ministrations  here  for  many  months 
to  come,  had  it  not  !)een  for  a painful  accident,  on  the  last  day  of 
October,  that  disabled  him  for  a time,  and  necessitated  his  removal 
to  Bethlehem.  It  came  about  in  this  wise  : the  Indian  Brother 
Samuel  had  all  along  experienced  not  a little  trouble  with  his  wife. 
Whether  himself  or  she  was  most  at  fault,  the  records  tell  us  not. 
At  any  rate.  Brother  Schebosh  felt  constrained,  on  the  afore  men- 
tioned date,  to  call  Samuel  privately  into  his  lodge,  in  order  to 
speak  seriously  with  him  concerning  the  disturbed  condition  of  his 


14 


MEXIOLAGOMfiKA. 


domestic  relations.  Now  it  so  happened  that  Augustus’  hut  was 
next  adjoining  unto  his,  and  in  it  the  mighty  hunter  was  cleaning 
his  rifle.  Suddenly,  while  the  two  were  in  the  midst  of  their  most 
earnest  conversation,  Augustus’  gun  went  off,  and  the  whole  charge 
was  sent  crashing  through  the  walls,  through  the  side  of  the 
“ Gemein-haus,”  and  lodged  in  the  nether  extremities  of  poor 
Brother  Schebosh.  Nor  did  Samuel  escape  uninjured.  Brother 
Schebosh’s  wounds  were  very  painful,  and  excited  not  a little  alarm; 
hence  messengers  were  at  once  dispatched  to  Gnadenhiitten  and  to 
Bethlehem,  with  the  news.  Before  evening  already  tliey  returned, 
accompanied  by  Brother  Abraham  Biihninger  from  the  former 
place,  and  Brother  Otto,  the  physician,  from  the  latter.  He,  after 
examining  the  wounded  limbs,  and  carefully  attending  to  them, 
concluded  to  take  Brother  Schebosh  at  once  with  him  to  Bethle- 
hem for  further  treatment.  And  thus,  after  scarcely  a four  month’s 
sojourn,  his  labors  at  Meniolagomeka  ceased. 

The  following  winter  passed  seemingly  without  any  regular 
pastor  being  stationed  at  the  place,  until  February,  1753,  when 
Brother  Abraham  Biihuiuger  was  appointed.  Under  him  the 
mission  prospered  very  much,  and  outw'ardly  it  kept  on  its  even 
course  undisturbed  by  any  unusual  occurrence.  Brother  Bubn- 
iuger  w'as  an  indefatigable  worker,  and  withal  most  conscientious 
and  devout.  He  not  only  continued  all  the  regular  services,  but, 
with  the  sanction  of  the  Indians,  instituted  an  additional  one  daily, 
early  in  the  morning,  as  he  was  accustomed  to  have  it  at  the  older 
missions.  In  their  daily  occupations  he  led  his  flock  by  his  exam- 
ple of  hard-working  industry,  as  much  as  in  spiritual  things  he  w'as 
their  pattern  of  devotion,  childlike  faith  and  shining  purity  of  life. 

It  is  touching  to  read,  for  example,  how  on  Easter  morning  in 
April,  he  repaired  to  their  little  burial  ground,  that  lay  about 
three  hundred  yards  west  by  north  of  the  village,  and  there,  all 
alone  in  the  sublime  quiet  and  solitude  of  that  boundless  forest, 
held  sweet  communion  with  the  saints  in  heaven,  recounted  the 
names  of  the  dear  Indian  brethren  whose  ashes  lay  beneath  the 
mounds  ranged  around  him,  and  commended  himself  with  them  to 
that  Saviour  who  had  died  and  risen  for  all  As  the  glorious  sun 
rose  from  his  nightly  tomb,  and  sent  his  gracious  rays  piercing 
into  the  valley’s  gloom,  gilding  each  tree  top,  and  flooding  field 
and  forest  with  a golden  deluge  of  morning  light,  the  solitary  wmr- 


A MORAVIAN  INDIAN  VILLAGE 


15 


shiper’s  voice  rose  above  the  warbling  and  the  singing  of  the 
feathered  choirs  round  about  him,  lauding  in  tones  of  exultation 
and  triumph  that  vanquisher  of  death  and  the  grave,  through 
whose  grace  we  too  are  heirs  of  life,  and  more  than  conquerors  in 
his  name.  He  knew  that  his  dear  wife,  and  all  his  brethren  and 
sisters  in  Gnadenhiitten,  at  Bethlehem,  and  in  a score  of  other  pre- 
cious spots,  were  at  that  moment  too  uniting  in  the  same  hymns, 
chanting  the  very  same  tunes,  and  rejoicing  in  the  same  glad  and 
praiseful  thoughts.  He  believed  in  the  communion  of  saints.  He 
was  not  alone,  but  they  all  were  with  him,  unseen  indeed,  but  felt, 
— all  in  heaven  and  on  earth  that  believe  in  the  Saviour’s  name,  a 
glorious  host  of  redeemed  souls  and  spirits  immortal. 

It  was  just  one  month  after  this  blessed  resurrection  morn  that 
duty  called  hin),  on  a more  sad  and  painful  mission,  again  to  this 
hallowed  acre  of  God.  The  ten -year-old  .son  of  a heathen  sister  of 
the  Indian  Brother  Nathanael,  had  “ gone  to  kiss  the  Saviour’s 
wounds,”  the  day  after  his  baptism  by  Brother  Martin  Mack.  He 
had  been  ill  for  more  than  a month,  and  often  earnestly  begged  to 
be  baptized.  At  last  Biihninger  sent  to  Gnadenhutten,  telling 
Brother  Mack  all  the  circumstances;  but  he  had  hesitated  to  ad- 
minister the  sacrament,  because  the  boy’s  parents  still  were  uncon- 
verted. Finally,  however,  he  came  ; and  not  an  hour  too  soon. 
As  it  was,  the  poor  child  had  his  longings  fulfilled,  and  fell  peace- 
fully asleep  in  the  full  assurance  of  awaking  in  the  bo.som  of  his 
crucified  Lord.*  With  their  own  hands  the  Indian  brethren  made 
a little  coffin,  cutting  it  in  one  piece  out  of  a massive  chestnut’s 
trunk.  Love  gave  them  ta.ste  and  .skill,  so  that  Brother  Biihninger 
quaintly  informs  us  ’twas  “so  beautifully  proportioned  that  it  was 
a pleasure  to  look  upon  it.”  Then  wrapping  the  corpse  in  a new 
blanket,  which  had  been  a cherished  present  to  him  from  the 
Brethren  at  Gnadenhutten,  they  bore  him  away  amidst  songs  of  trust 
and  hope,  and  laid  him  to  rest  in  the  cool  earth.  That  earth  made 
sacred  by  the  ashes  of  brethren  and  sisters  of  ours;  hallowed  by  tears 
wrung  from  theheartsof  grief-.stricken  mothers  and  fathers,  husbands 
and  wives  and  lovers;  that  ground  where  Christian  mourners  have 
knelt  and  wept  and  prayed  to  their  God,  is  it  not  holy  ground — 
holy  and  dear  to-day  to  every  brother  and  sister  of  our  Church? 

Brother  Biihninger  has  left  us  a record  of  the  number  of  inhab- 
itants at  Meniolagom6ka  at  this  time;  from  which  we  .see  that 


G1 


MENIOLAGOMfiKA. 


tliere  were  fifty-nine  in  all,  of  whom  there  were  seven  baptized 
couples  and  two  unbaptized;  besides  one  couple  of  svhom  the  one 
was  baptized  and  the  other  not ; two  baptized  and  three  un baptized 
widows,  and  no  widower;  two  unbaptized  single  women;  two 
single  brethren  from  Gnadenhiitten  ; seven  baptized  and  five  un- 
un baptized  boys;  and  five  baptized  and  eleven  unbaptized  girls; 
making  in  all  thirty-three  baptized  souls,  and  twenty-six  yet  stray- 
ing without  the  fold. 

In  the  month  of  November  of  1753,  from  the  19th  to  the  28th, 
Brother  Biihninger  was  called  to  temporarily  discharge  some  duties 
at  other  places,  and  John  Joseph  Schmick  with  his  wife  conse- 
quently supplied  his  place.  Evidently  more  of  a student  than  a 
musician,  this  brother  found  himself  in  a difficulty  quite  serious  to 
him,  on  the  first  evening  after  his  arrival.  He  was  unable  to 
bring  a sound  from  the  great  horn  that  announced  the  hour  of  wor- 
ship. Try  as  he  might,  turn  it  this  way  or  that,  the  thing  re- 
mained mute  and  dumb.  What  to  do  he  knew’  not.  So  putting 
the  stubborn  instrument  away,  he  went  forth  to  find  an  Indian 
brother  who  could  instruct,  or  at  least  advise  him.  But  by  this 
time  it  was  growing  dark,  and  the  evening  too  far  spent  to  hold 
the  service ; and,  rather  discouraged  with  his  first  experience,  the 
unfortunate  brother  laid  himself  to  rest.  Next  day  he  complained 
of  his  trouble  to  Augustus,  who  told  him  that  hereafter  his  son 
would  undertake  the  duty  of  horn-blowing,  and  so  overcome  the 
difficulty.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  Brother  Schmick’s 
labors  were  richly  blessed  by  the  Lord. 

On  Buhuinger’s  return  to  his  post,  at  the  end  of  the  month,  he 
carried  on  the  work  with  his  usual  vigor.  It  is  touching  to  see 
how  his  Indians  were  attached  to  him;  how  they  relied  on  and 
obeyed  him,  like  unto  little  children.  The  winter  months  w’ere 
but  occasionally  enlivened  by  visiting  brethren;  once  by  a visit 
from  David  Zeisberger,  a few  days  after  Christmas,  w’ho  spent 
a day  and  night  with  the  little  congregation,  keeping  their  morning 
and  evening  services,  and  giving  them  interesting  accounts  of  the 
course  of  the  Gospel  among  their  red  brethren  otherw’here,  and  of 
his  experience  among  them.  Gladly  wmuld  they  have  detained 
him  longer;  but  he  had  to  hasten  away  to  rejoin  his  brethren  at 
Christiansbrunn. 

At  the  eud  of  January,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  Indian  sisters, 


A MORAVIAN  INDIAN  VILLAGE. 


17 


Biihninger  brought  his  wife  to  Meniolagota6ka  to  share  his  labors 
with  him.  But  it  was  only  for  a few  days;  for  on  the  12th  of 
February  came  the  call  for  him  temporarily  to  relieve  Brother 
Senseman  at  Pachgatgoch  ; which  he  did  until  the  last  day  of  the 
same  month. 

In  this  interval  Brother  Schmick  again  supplied  his  place;  for 
the  Indians  had  learned  to  love  him  and  his  faithful  wife;  and  he 
had  gained  a specially  healthful  influence  over  the  children,  for  he 
was  a skilled  teacher.  On  his  former  visit  he  had  always  insisted 
on  their  washing  their  hands  and  faces  before  coming  to  school ; 
no  doubt  a very  necessary  thing.  So  no  sooner  did  he  appear  at 
his  place  in  the  school  again,  than  they  all  held  up  their  clean 
brown  hands,  and  showed  their  freshly  washed  faces.  It  seemed 
to  please  him  very  much,  -as  much  as  his  words  of  kindly  praise 
in  return  gratified  and  encouraged -them. 

Brother  Biihninger  returned  fnmi  Pachgatgoch  in  time  to  give 
his  much-needed  encouragement  and  advice  to  the  little  band  at 
MeniolagomSka,  during  those  months  of  sore  trial  and  anxiety  that 
preceded  the  removal  of  the  whole  settlement,  from  its  [>icturesque 
and  lovely  site  on  the  Aquanshicola  to  Gnadenhiitten,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Mahony.  Secretary  Richard  Peters,  the  owner  of  the  land, 
if  claiming  what  belongs  to  another  can  be  called  ownership,  had 
at  last  given  peremptory  notice  that  they  must  remove  to  some 
other  place.  Already  in  1750  he  had  told  them  of  his  intention, 
and  caused  them  much  solicitude.  The  Brethren  had  tried  their 
utmost  to  buy  the  land  then  ; but  he  would  not  sell  it.  He  had 
afterwards,  however,  allowed  his  claim  to  rest  for  the  time;  and 
the  poor  Indians  had  now  almost  forgotten  their  fears,  and  again 
regarded  all  those  hills  and  valleys  as  their  own.  When  therefore 
this  second  and  uncompromising  demand  came,  they  were  almost 
distracted,  and  quite  at  a loss  what  to  do.  But  the  Lord  was  pro- 
viding. Even  then  Gnadenhiitten  was  being  deserted  by  the  mis- 
guided followers  of  King  Teedyuscung  and  Abraham,  who  moved 
away  to  Wyoming.  Their  lodges  stood  empty  and  forsaken.  And, 
hearing  of  the  state  of  affairs  at  Mcniolagomeka,  the  Brethren  at 
Gnadenhiitten  at  once  sent  a cordial  invitation  to  Biihninger  and 
his  little  flock  to  come  thither  and  occupy  the  homes  .standing 
ready  to  receive  them.  Gratefully  they  accepted  the  offer,  and 
without  delay  prepared  to  move  their  few  possessions  to  this  place 


18 


MENIOLAGOM^KA. 


of  refuge.  Augustus,  however,  first  stipulated  witli  the  white 
man’s  agent  for  some  compensation  for  the  many  improvements  his 
tribe  had  made  on  the  land.  It  proved  to  be  the  now  old,  old 
story,  however.  The  red  man  deceived,  overreached  and  slandered. 
The  white  man  enriched,  empowered  and  praising  himself  for  wis- 
dom, and  even  magnanimity ! Augustus  did  indeed  receive  the 
promise  that  he  would  be  paid  for  the  fences  that  had  been 
built,  and  now  had  to  be  left;  but  for  the  acres  of  cleared  and  cul- 
tivated ground,  for  the  seed  in  the  earth,  and  for  the  land  itself,  he 
received  not  even  a promise.  Whether  the  paltry  £5  ever  were 
paid,  seems  at  this  late  day  yet  uncertain. 

With  heavy  hearts  and  clouded  brows,  we  see  this  little  handful 
of  Delaware  brethren  and  sisters  leaving  their  ancient  and  beauti- 
ful home,  on  the  4th  and  5th  of  May,  1755,  and  wending  their 
way  along  the  narrow  valley  that  led  to  Gnadenhiitten.  Who  shall 
record  the  feelings  that  moved  their  breasts,  as  last  their  tear- 
diramed  gaze  rested  on  the  empty  huts  they  just  had  left?  Those 
giant  trees,  that  seemed  their  intimate  friends  and  companions, 
would  soon  be  murdered  by  the  white  man’s  cruel  axe.  That 
laughing,  limpid  stream,  free  as  themselves,  soon  must  slavishly 
turn  the  wheel  of  the  white  man’s  mills.  Naked  and  bare  would 
ere  long  become  those  everlasting  hills,  now  crowned  and  girdled 
with  mighty  oaks,  with  aromatic  hemlock  and  pine.  That  gurgling 
spring  would  run  dry  ; and  the  blooming  flowers,  and  graceful, 
nodding  ferns  would  ruthlessly  be  buried  ’neath  the  plowman’s 
clod.  And  oli,  that  sacred  spot  there  on  the  hill,  where  lay  the 
bones  of  dear  and  loved  ones  in  the  Lord,  would  they  be  spared  ? 
Or  would  the  hallowed  mounds  be  levelled  with  the  ground,  and 
be  hoed  and  planted  like  the  common  earth,  and  e’en  the  names 
forgotten  of  those  so  dear  to  their  hearts,  e’en  the  site  be  remem- 
bered no  more,  where  with  tears  and  sorrowing  souls  they  but 
lately  had  laid  them  to  rest?  Would  we  have  blamed  them  much 
had  desperation  made  them  wild  and  savage  once  more  as  such 
thoughts  came  crowding  through  their  brains?  But  no ; the  Com- 
forter was  there.  “ My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee!”  whispered  His 
strong  voice  to  the  little  band.  “ Thy  will  be  done,  O God  !”  their 
hearts  reply,  as  lifting  their  eyes  from  their  earthly  homes  upward 
to  that  better  one  above,  they  turn  away  forever  from  that  spot, 
and  MeuiohigomeUa  is  no  more. 


• . rv''- 


« W. 


% -\ 


